EXTRA lavatories have had to be opened in Worcester at night because Christmas revellers keep relieving themselves in the street, police have revealed.

The public conveniences in Angel Place will now keep their doors open from Tuesday to Saturday as part of a campaign to clamp down on anti-social behaviour over the festive season.

Police launched the Spirit of Christmas campaign last month, a partnership between themselves, the city council and pubs and clubs.

As officers warned they were preparing themselves for the busiest two weekends of the year, Chief Insp Martin Lakeman praised the "partnership approach" which led to the city council opening the Angel Place lavatories.

"One of the more unpleasant problems being caused by the influx of people to the city is the fact that there are no toilet facilities during the evening," he said.

"It's inevitably leading to people being caught short and relieving themselves in public places."

Assaults fallen

Figures released since the launch of the campaign show the number of assaults in Worcester have fallen by 67 per cent.

In the month before the launch on Thursday, November 22, police recorded six assaults in the city centre. Since then, there have been just two.

Chief Insp Lakeman gave the news a cautious welcome and said people were being arrested for disorderly behaviour before fights could take place.

Between Thursday, October 25, and Wednesday, November 21, 21 people were arrested for drink-related anti-social behaviour.

Another nine were picked up between then and Thursday, December 13.

"Everyone wants to have a good time at Christmas and we're pleased the initiative has helped reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour in the city," said Chief Insp Lakeman.

"This is a time of year to celebrate, but our message is simple.

"Don't spoil the fun for others and dampen the Christmas spirit by sobering up in a police cell facing 2002 with a criminal record."